Richard Park, director of broadcasting at Global Radio, which produces the show, described the tie-up with iTunes as a "historic move".

Park, who was also one of the driving forces behind the Pepsi Chart, presented by Magic DJ Neil Fox, said it would be the "first ever totally interactive chart where the listener decides".

"With 90% of sales in the UK's official chart now being from downloads alone, it's important we reflect the new future of purchasing music, and there is no more significant partner than iTunes," he added.

Rich Clarke, the show's current presenter, will be joined by a new co-presenter, Kat Shoob. The pair already co-present a show on Global's London station, 95.8 Capital.

The new chart will air on more than 140 commercial stations around the country, including Global's Heart and Galaxy networks, Global's Hit Music Network of local stations, Bauer's Big City network and GMG Radio's Real Radio.

Listeners will potentially be able to influence chart positions during the course of the new programme, with The Big Top 40 Show updating the top 10 iTunes downloads every hour, assuming they download a tune in sufficient numbers.

Hit40UK has undergone a number of transformations in its six-year history. Former presenters have included ex-Blue Peter host Katy Hill and former Capital DJ, Lucio.

The show was made for four years by independent producer Somethin' Else before production was taken over by GCap Media – since bought by Global – at the beginning of 2008.

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